Pokot leaders oppose plan to establish game reserves
A row is looming over the government’s decision to gazette some areas along the borders of West Pokot and Turkana counties as disturbed and plans to convert some areas into game reserves.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, on a tour of the region last week, announced the gazettement of Turkana South as a game reserve and as a security operation zone.
But Pokot leaders have faulted the move which they say will spark conflict because of the long-standing boundary row between the Turkana and Pokot communities.
MPs Peter Lochakapong (Sigor), Samuel Moroto (Kapeguria) and David Pkosing (Pokot South) said KWS, Kadengoi, Kaakong, Lotapa and Kainuk areas are where herders from the two communities graze their livestock.
Last year, more than 200 cattle from the Masol area were killed by security officers at Kadengoi and KWS grazing areas.
“The people from both communities have been coexisting peacefully but a few people are inciting them. We don’t want inciters. Inciters should be summoned by the police,” said Lochakapong.
Moroto said members of the two communities have lived together for a long time and have even intermarried.
“We are neighbours and we have intermarried with our Turkana brothers. Plans that 60 kilometres of land inside will be cut is not good. We need to set up committees to iron out these issues. We have two game reserves in both West Pokot and Turkana counties,” said Moroto.
He urged the CS to listen to the views of residents and leaders.
“There are rumours that they will include the Masol Division and convert it into a conservancy. I hope the CS knows what it means with that conservancy. I want the minister to instead make it a boundary instead of a conservancy,” said Moroto.
